Photo by Mark Day
Since 2014, Crenshaw has been under heavy construction for the upcoming Crenshaw/LAX Metro Line. Last year, many community members wondered what this would mean for the biggest family festival in L.A. Last year, over 350,000 people found out that it meant the Taste of Soul (TOS) party would continue thanks to Wal-Shea Corridor Constructors. This year is no different as Taste of Soul 2015 will still take place on Crenshaw Blvd.
TOS fans constantly look forward to the food, live entertainment and brotherhood the festival delivers. Metro has become a valued partner and vendor of Taste of Soul and if you’re looking for a way to get there, Metro is always one of the best options.
The Metro Expo/Crenshaw light-rail station is on Crenshaw Boulevard within a block of Rodeo Road and the Taste of Soul festival. From the San Fernando Valley, attendees may take the Orange Line to the Red Line, to the Expo Line and exit on Crenshaw Boulevard. From Long Beach attendees can travel to downtown Los Angeles on the Blue Line and connect to the Green Line at Willowbrook Station and to the Expo Line at Pico Station. From Pasadena or East Los Angeles ride on the Gold Line to Union Station and transfer to Red/Purple Line to 7th St/Metro Center and then hop on the Expo Line to Crenshaw Blvd.
In 2012, Metro became the nation’s first transit agency to adopt a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with national targeted hiring goals for federally funded, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved projects valued over $2.5 million.
The historic PLA will not only provide construction employment and training opportunities to many who reside along the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project alignment, it will help build the workforce of tomorrow.
The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project consists of an 8.5-mile light-rail line, with eight new stations including Leimert Park and Hindry. The rail line will run between the Expo Line on Exposition Bl and the Metro Green Line. It will consist of aerial (La Brea Av/ La Cienega Bl and 405 Freeway/ Century Bl) and below-grade segments (Exposition Bl to 48th St/59th Pl to 67th St/ Los Angeles International Airport South Runways) with all remaining areas at-grade.
In addition to the alternative transportation option to congested roadways, the project will also provide significant environmental benefits, economic development and employment opportunities throughout Los Angeles County.
The Crenshaw/LAX Transit Projected is expected to be finished in 2019.
